gall midge
Any insect of the family Cecidomyiidae; small flies whose larvae often form galls on plants.
Gall midge larvae form galls on leaves.
This gall midge is known as a pest of rice.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Kanji spelling using 蠅 (fly); rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 蝿 (fly); rarely used.
Contains outdated kanji 癭; not in modern use.
Contains outdated kanji 癭; not in modern use.
Compound of たま (tama, 'ball, lump') + はえ (hae, 'fly'), referring to the gall-like swellings caused by the larvae. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.